By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

TAMPA — Several prominent players have been participating in the Bucs' unofficial lockout workouts this week, including quarterback and ringleader Josh Freeman, tight end Kellen Winslow and even rookie tight end Luke Stocker.

Perhaps the most surprising was second-year receiver Arrelious Benn. Not long ago — December, to be exact — Benn, 22, was hobbling around the locker room after tearing his ACL in Week 16.

Yet, here he was on a steamy practice field, less than six months later, catching balls from Freeman and backups Josh Johnson and Rudy Carpenter. Turns out, even Benn was taken aback at his rapid recovery from an injury that often requires nine months or more of intense rehab.

"I'm new to the knee injury thing. … I didn't think that I'd be back this fast," Benn said. "I kind of feel like it never happened. But I have to be smart. I still have things coming back together in my knee. I might not feel it, but I'm young right now, so I heal fast."

And therein lies the challenge: knowing how much is too much. Benn's personal trainers have been overseeing his rehab since the Bucs cannot do so because lockout rules prohibit teams from having contact with their players during the work stoppage.

Benn said his trainers have cleared him to run, which he has done impressively during workouts. He said he doesn't have full clearance to make sudden changes of direction, which would put stress on the knee.

But it sure seemed as if Benn was making at least a few cuts. "On my good leg," he joked. "But for the most part, I'm trying to take it slow and be smart."

TALIB CASE: A Dallas County grand jury heard evidence in the shooting case involving Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib. Talib is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony that carries 2-20 years in prison, for his role in a March 21 shooting in Garland, Texas. Police say Talib attempted to pistol whip and later fired shots at his sister's boyfriend. Nobody was injured. Talib's mother, Okolo, faces similar charges. Talib's attorney said the grand jury could decide today whether there is enough probable cause to believe Talib was involved in a crime.

COACHES SUPPORT PLAYERS: The NFL Coaches Association is backing the players in their fight to end the owner-imposed lockout. The association filed a brief with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Minneapolis saying the lockout is inflicting irreparable harm on coaches who rely on summer minicamps and workouts to get on the same page with players.

Steelers lash out: The so-called "Steelers rule" is taking a beating from, naturally, the Steelers. The NFL's new proposal is to punish teams for their players' multiple flagrant hits that result in fines. The punishment will be financial, although the league said it didn't rule out applying further sanctions, such as stripping clubs of draft choices. "I'm absolutely sure now after this last rule change that the people making the rules at the NFL are idiots," Steelers linebacker James Harrison posted on his Twitter account Tuesday night. "Thoughts on the steelers rule??? lol im sorry that im not sorry we hit 2 hard," linebacker Lamarr Woodley posted on his account.

STOVER DONE: Ravens kicker Matt Stover, 23, will retire today, the team said. He ranks fourth in NFL history with 2,004 points.

COLTS: Veteran offensive assistant Tom Moore, 72, retired. Moore, hired in 1998, was the only offensive coordinator that QB Peyton Manning ever worked with in the NFL until he relinquished the play-calling duties and title last season.

Times staff writer Rick Stroud and Times wires contributed to this report.

By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Last week in Normal, Ill., Pasco-Hernando Community College (33-20) was one of 16 programs nationally to qualify for the NJCAA Division II softball national championship tournament.

The Conquistadors won two games on Day 1 before being bounced with two losses on the second day.

The team was seeded 11th coming into the event, and upset Labette (Kan.) 5-2 in the opener. Desiree Ates was the hitting star, going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Heather Knoop tossed a complete game with only one earned run and three strikeouts. She also had two hits.

Later that evening, PHCC defeated Kirkwood (Iowa) 5-1. Erica Yunka swung the big bat in that game, going 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Ates was on the mound for the Conquistadors, throwing a complete game with only one earned run and five strikeouts.

Day 2 wasn't as kind to PHCC. The team lost 3-2 to Kankakee (Ill.) and then was eliminated with a 7-2 defeat at the hands of South Mountain (Ariz.).

Michelle McKonley was one of 12 players named to the all-tournament team after going 8-for-15 with a double, a triple and three RBI.

COPELAND FOOTBALL CAMP: The Hernando County Recreation Department will host the Horace Copeland Football Camp on July 22 and 23 at Springstead High School in Spring Hill.

Copeland, a former University of Miami and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver, won two national championships in college and is a former NFL all-pro. The curriculum for the clinic will be aimed at developing fundamental football skills to enhance individual and team skills at all positions.

The cost is $110 per person, with youths ages 7 to 14 welcome. The times for the camp will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. All campers will be provided an official Horace "Hi-C" Copeland camp shirt, a personalized participation certification, lunch daily and a special autograph session with Copeland and other former pro players at the conclusion of camp.

Register online by visiting horacecopeland.com or hernandocounty.us/parks_rec/, where registration and waiver forms may be printed.

Call Harry Johnson or Christie Williams at (352) 754-4031 or send e-mail to recreation@hernandocounty.us.

WEST HERNANDO COUGARS: The West Hernando Cougars youth football and cheerleading program will have registration for the coming season over the next several weeks.

Officials will be at Delta Woods Park on Deltona Boulevard in Spring Hill for signups from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following dates: Saturday, June 4, June 11, June 18, and June 25.

The Cougars' season starts July 11, with a 10-game football schedule. The cheerleaders participate in competitions around the Tampa Bay area.

The football registration fee is $195 per child, $125 for flag football. The fee includes rental of pads and a personalized jersey to keep. The cheerleading fee is $225 with a full uniform to keep. There is a $10 discount for every sibling also registered.

Call Bobby McFarland at (352) 585-6524 or visit West Hernando Cougars Football and Cheerleading on Facebook.

HYL FOOTBALL: The Hernando Youth League is beginning registration for the 2011 season.

Teams are available for kids ages 5 to 15. Registration will be June 11 at Ernie Wever Park in Brooksville. Registration forms are available at leaguelineup.com/hylfootball. Forms must be presented at time of registration. The cost is $125, and space is limited.

For information, call Rick Hankins at (352) 346-0000 or send e-mail to popwarnerhernando@gmail.com.

JEROME BROWN GOLF: World Woods Golf Club, north of Brooksville, is hosting the Jerome Brown Golf Classic on June 4, sponsored by Bright House Networks.

Proceeds will benefit the Jerome Brown Youth Foundation. For an entry fee of $65 per golfer, participants get 18 holes, a cart, lunch and a cap. The format is a four-person scramble.

Registration will be at 11:30 a.m., with lunch at noon. The shotgun start will be at 1 p.m.

For information, call Dianna Rusk Yoder at (352) 796-2526.

FAST-PITCH SOFTBALL CLINICS: The Hernando County Recreation Department is offering fast-pitch softball clinics at Anderson Snow Park in Spring Hill.

The private lessons are for players ages 7 to 16. The clinics will be led by April Pelham, a certified Florida fast-pitch instructor with more than 20 years of experience.

The cost is $20 for a 30-minute hitting or catching lesson. It is $15 for a 30-minute fielding or throwing lesson. Pitching lessons are also available at rates of $20 for 30 minutes, $25 for 45 minutes or $40 for one hour.

Call Penny Oliver at (352) 754-4031 or send e-mail to pennyo@hernandocounty.us.

BRITISH SOCCER CAMP: The First Hernando Youth Soccer Club has teamed up with Challenger Sports to host a weeklong British soccer camp July 18 to 22 at Anderson Snow Park in Spring Hill.

Each child will work with a member of the team of more than 1,000 British coaches being flown to the United States exclusively to work with summer programs. Challenger Sports will hold more than 3,000 camps this summer and coach more than 120,000 children between the ages of 3 and 19.

Space is limited, and parents are encouraged to register their children as soon as possible. To attend for a half day from 9 a.m. to noon, the cost is $117 for the week for ages 5 to 18. For a full day, the fee is $165 for ages 10 to 18. Goalkeepers ages 10 to 18 may attend from 5 to 8 p.m. for a cost of $117.

Each camper will receive a T-shirt, soccer ball, poster and a personalized skills evaluation.

For information, call Robert Andreu at (813) 283-4523 or send e-mail to robertandreu@bellsouth.net. To register, visit challengersports.com.

To notify us of community sports achievements or coming events, contact Derek J. LaRiviere at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.

Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

TAMPA — The injury corner at FC Tampa Bay practices has seen substantially more action this week.

While the team trains at the Shimberg Complex in Tampa, a small section off to the side of the practice fields is devoted to rehabbing injuries with head trainer James Faylo.

Since the beginning of the regular season, that corner has been occupied by Jeremy Christie (hip) and Yendry Diaz (knee). Goalkeeper Daryl Sattler joined the group after tearing his ACL against Atlanta, and defender Andres Arango has been a regular visitor after injuring, then reinjuring his right ankle in recent weeks.

Tuesday, Arango sat on a folding chair with an ice pack wrapped around his right leg (thigh contusion). He was hurt in Saturday's 3-0 win over Montreal to add to his list of injury woes and was substituted in the 35th minute.

Also picking up injuries in the Montreal victory were forward Warren Ukah and defender Omar Jarun. Ukah, who scored Tampa Bay's opening goal with a confident strike from the 18 in the 40th minute, injured his knee soon after and didn't return after halftime. He may have torn a ligament as well, though the extent of the damage won't be known until the results of an MRI exam come back this week.

"The signs are looking positive, but we can't predict at this moment in time," coach Ricky Hill said.

Jarun also injured a knee against Montreal though Hill was hopeful the 6-foot-5 defender will be fit for training today.

All three players are day to day and haven't been ruled out for Saturday's game at Minnesota.

Kickin' it with | M Keith Savage

Last year you played for Portland as the team was preparing to make the jump to MLS the next season. What was that season like?

It was fun but it was kind of annoying in a way. There was so much pressure on the coaches and after every game, win or lose; it was, 'You're going into MLS next year, you're going into MLS next year' and it was just kind of annoying. It's nice to be here and just be able to play and not worry about new kids coming in and big signings. You can just kind of play and the coaches trust us, not wanting to worry about guys for next year.

What's on your soccer bucket list?

That's hard. As a career, I've always wanted to play in Houston in MLS just because it's nearby and I've always had tons of respect for (Dynamo coach) Dominic Kinnear. Besides that I've always wanted to go visit the Turks and Caicos Islands, me and my wife, maybe do some scuba diving down there. That's a good one to check off the list.

Favorite soccer moment.

When I was drafted, I got to start in SuperClasico, Chivas USA vs. L.A. Galaxy with (David) Beckham and (Landon) Donovan in a sold-out Home Depot Center. … Beckham had just kind of got there and there were 35,000 people there. It was incredible. It might have been my third professional game. I was a rookie, so it was pretty fun.

Out of the box

One possible explanation for Tampa Bay's three-goal explosion against Montreal: a new formation. Hill said Tampa Bay employed a 4-3-1-2 formation for the first time this season, abandoning the 4-4-2 it had played through the first six games.

"I felt with the system that we had as we were playing it, we became a little bit static and predictable," Hill said.

The team used the 4-3-1-2 during the preseason in a scrimmage with the U17 men's national team, and Hill continued to teach principles of the formation.

"I think we've been threatening to score more than one all season in every game that we've played, we just haven't been able to execute," Hill said. "… With the (4-3-1-2) formation, what it allowed us to do differently to what we had been doing was that we were patient enough with the ball and worked the ball into areas. … Then our fullbacks were able to join in gradually after we'd kept possession for a period of time."

Hill said Saturday's result coupled with the players' comfort level with the new system makes it likely the team will continue playing the 4-3-1-2.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Mariners 3, Twins 0

MINNEAPOLIS — First, his stomach. Then, the swing. Franklin Gutierrez is finally feeling better. Erik Bedard pitched six shutout innings and Gutierrez hit his first home run of the season, propelling the Mariners. "I feel good. I just needed time," said Gutierrez, who joined the lineup last week after a mysterious bout with stomach problems that sapped his energy last season and lingered into this spring. The Twins managed only seven singles on their way to their fifth shutout this season.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Brewers 6, Nationals 4

MILWAUKEE — Zack Greinke accepted a trade to Milwaukee partly because he wanted to hit. He showed why, hitting a go-ahead homer while striking out 10 over seven innings to help the Brewers to their season-best sixth straight victory. "I talk about it all the time," Greinke said. "It's more fun playing (this) way, I like it, it feels like you're doing more in the game." Milwaukee has won nine straight at home.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Astros 2, Dodgers 1

HOUSTON — J.R. Towles broke out of an 0-for-32 skid with three hits, including an RBI single with two outs in the ninth that lifted the Astros. "I've definitely been in some slumps before but breaking out has never been this good because I've never had a walkoff before," Towles said. "I knew at some point I was going to break out and it was going to be big for me."

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — On the day that 350 or more members are due in town for the annual Black Coaches and Administrators convention here, one of the most high-profile coaching jobs in all of sports went to an African-American, as former Cavaliers coach Mike Brown was named the Lakers' coach Wednesday, replacing Phil Jackson.

"This is just great — I'm really happy for him. What a great opportunity," said Floyd A. Keith, executive director of the BCA, who got to know Brown as a dues-paying BCA member when he was an assistant coach with the Indiana Pacers; BCA is headquartered in Indianapolis.

The theme for this year's convention is "Back to the Basics," and Keith said the convention will promote the BCA's fundamental positions toward equity and fairness in hiring, but also serve as a reminder of why their members are coaches and administrators.

"What we're trying to do is back to the core values of why we do our things professionally, also what our obligations are," Keith said. "To give back and share, to develop others and help them advance, to show that sport is of great value for all the right reasons."

Former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard, now an analyst with ESPN, will be the keynote speaker today, and NCAA President Mark Emmert will be in town today to speak at the convention's general session.

"It shows the value of the BCA and what we're about that he will take time out of a very busy and complex schedule to share with our membership," Keith said. "I think that's really huge, and it's great to have him here and sharing his message ... as far as where he is as the voice and leader of the NCAA."

YOUTH CLINIC: The most public event of the convention is a youth sports developmental clinic on Saturday morning at Campbell Park, which is free and open to children between ages 8 and 13, with instruction from college and high school coaches in sports like football, basketball, tennis, soccer and baseball.

STAYING CLOSE: The BCA held its convention at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor last year, and Keith said last year went well enough that the BCA chose to return to Pinellas County for this year's gathering at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club.

"The reception we had was so great. Our members appreciated the area, and you can't beat the weather," Keith said. "It was one of those invitations you can't turn down, and we're really happy to be here."

The BCA will stay in Florida for a third year in a row next spring, when its 2012 convention is held in Orlando.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Yankees 7, Blue Jays 3

NEW YORK — Mariano Rivera became the first player to make 1,000 appearances for one team, pitching the ninth for the Yankees. "You have to be old to do that," Rivera, 41, said with a smile. "You've got to have the right combination, I guess, an organization willing to keep you around and you doing your job." Andruw Jones hit two two-run homers.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Rangers 2, White Sox 1

ARLINGTON, Texas — Less than 12 hours after surviving a harrowing drive home, C.J. Wilson kept his nerve and turned in a sharp pitching performance to help the Rangers win their third in four games. Late Tuesday night, Wilson left Rangers Ballpark early to get some rest. "I drove through some sort of a cyclone at 11 o'clock," Wilson said. "It was the most exciting driving experience I've had on the streets. I was in my truck, going sideways and stuff."

Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Braves 4, Pirates 2

11 innings

PITTSBURGH — Brooks Conrad hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the 11th for the Braves. With Wilkin Ramirez on first and one out, Conrad hit Jeff Karstens' 1-and-2 pitch out to right-center.

By Jim Huddleston, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

What's hot: The early morning high tides this week will find many snook cruising the beaches where the water breaks on the sand. To catch the prized game fish, walk down the water's edge and cast parallel to the shore ahead in the swash channel. This drop-off is a natural feeding highway for these linesiders to find an easy meal before the sun gets too high. Watch for the small packs of baitfish that are schooling up tight and look like a dark cloud against the clear waters off our beaches. The snook will hang near the schools and run through them, ambushing the small sardines. Use lighter leader, such as 20-pound fluorocarbon, to help disguise the presentation. Small white pumpkin bucktails of a quarter-ounce work great for throwing artificials and covering more ground while walking the beach.

Equipment: While working the shoreline for snook, watch for rolling tarpon on the deeper sandbars that are 30 feet off the shoreline. Heavier equipment is needed to fight these silver kings, though a stout snook rod could work if rigged properly. Forty-pound leader could be used for both species and will keep a tarpon buttoned for a few jumps. For a reliable artificial, the old faithful 65m Mirrolure always sinks quickly and gets down in the face of moving tarpon.

Keep moving: While wading along the beaches, do the stingray shuffle to avoid getting stuck by a fleeing ray's barbed tail. Shuffling the feet along the top of the sand will scare the rays away before an angler gets close to the concealed, flattened predators.

Jim Huddleston charters out of Tampa, Palm Harbor and Clearwater and can be reached at (727) 439-9017 or at jim@captainhud.com.

Times staff, wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Tampa Bay Golf Tour

Looking for a place to find area public courses on one website? Tampabay.com/golf has you covered. The site has all public regulation and executive courses in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. Each course has a video review, breakdown of yardage, greens fees and contact information.

Course of the day

The U.S. Women's Open will be historically long when it takes place July 7-10 at The Broadmoor's East Course in Oakmont, Pa. The 7,047 yards will be the longest ever for a USGA women's event. By comparison, this week's PGA Tour stop at TPC Four Seasons in Texas is 7,166 yards. "Can I play the forward tees?'' defending champ Paula Creamer joked during a recent media day.

Injury of the day

Fred Couples withdrew from this weekend's Senior PGA Championship because he is having 13 cancerous lesions removed from his hands. "I've got six on one hand and seven on the other," Couples told Golf World. "(The doctor) said they were cancerous. It doesn't mean I'm going to die in three weeks, but I had to get them off now."

Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

CLEVELAND — Carl Crawford finally had the kind of game the Red Sox and their fans have been waiting for.

It took him just six innings to do it.

Crawford, the former Rays All-Star who has struggled badly in his first two months with Boston, went 4-for-4 with two doubles, three runs and two RBIs before being pulled, and the Red Sox bludgeoned the Indians' Mitch Talbot for seven runs in the first in a 14-2 rout on Wednesday.

"I definitely feel better than I did before," said Crawford, who signed a seven-year, $142 million free agent contract in December. "It feels nice to contribute to a game where everyone contributes."

Dustin Pedroia hit a two-run homer in Boston's eruption in the first off Talbot, the former Ray who came off the disabled list to make his first start since April 11.

The Red Sox got a season-high 20 hits to win two of three from the Indians and have won 10 of 12 overall.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

MLB Countdown: Noon on MLB Network. A look at the top 50 infamous arguments in MLB history.

Heat at Bulls: 8:30 p.m. on TNT. You get the feeling the Bulls let the series slip away by losing a winnable Game 4 on Tuesday.

Lopez Tonight: Midnight on TBS. Tennis player Anna Kournikova, a new trainer on the Biggest Loser, is one of the scheduled guests.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Langer skips first three majors

Bernhard Langer had such a big year in 2010 that he is eligible for eight major championships — all five on the Champions Tour and all but the PGA Championship on the PGA Tour. Because of an injury and sense of fairness, however, Langer is missing the first three. Surgery on his left wrist kept him out of the Masters (where he has won twice) and will keep him out of this week's Senior PGA Championship. Next would be the U.S. Open, although Langer has decided not to play. Langer, who was eligible as the U.S. Senior Open champion, does not believe he can win at Congressional in Bethesda, Md., and did not believe it was right to take a spot from someone who can. He will make his "major" debut this year at the British Open at Royal St. George's (July 14-17), where he finished third in 1993.

Mickelson has been good for a long time

Phil Mickelson now has the longest active streak of being among the top 10 of the world rankings, which only further highlights the amazing run of Tiger Woods. Woods fell out of the top 10 this week for the first time since April 6, 1997, the week before he won the Masters for the first of his 14 majors. He had been among the top 10 for 736 consecutive weeks. Mickelson now has been among the top 10 for the past 381, a streak that began more than seven years ago. He would have to stay there for nearly seven more years — he'll be closing in on 47 — to break Woods' record. Greg Norman has the second-longest streak at 645 weeks, from when the world rankings debuted at the 1986 Masters until late in the summer of 1998. Back then, however, it was a three-year rolling period with very little movement. Third all time is Ernie Els at 448 weeks from 2000 until the fall of 2008.

Teen returns to Byron Nelson

Today's Byron Nelson Classic will have at least one player to keep an eye on. Jordan Spieth, who last year made the cut at the tournament as a 16-year-old high school junior, is in the field again. Spieth, who has added 20 pounds, received a sponsor's exemption and will play as an amateur. He has an interesting scheduling conflict. Spieth graduates from Dallas Jesuit on Saturday. So he might miss it if he makes the cut.

Upcoming local tournament

The 24th annual St. Paul United Methodist men's tournament will be held June 25 at East Bay Country Club in Largo. It is a scramble with an 8 a.m. shotgun start and $75 entry fee. For details, call (727) 531-5061.

This week on tour

PGA: Byron Nelson Championship, TPC Four Seasons Resort, Irving, Texas. TV: Today-Friday, 3-6 p.m., Golf Channel; Saturday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m., Ch. 10.

Senior PGA: Senior PGA Championship, Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Ky. TV: Today-Friday, noon-3 p.m., Golf Channel; Saturday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m., Ch. 8.

European PGA: BMW PGA Championship, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, England. TV: Today-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon, Golf Channel; Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Golf Channel.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers reached a deal in principle with former Cavaliers coach Mike Brown on Wednesday to succeed Phil Jackson, according to several media reports.

Brown will get a four-year deal worth roughly $18 million, according to the Associated Press.

The Lakers released a statement later Wednesday confirming that the club hopes to make Brown the 22nd coach in franchise history.

"We've met with Mike and are very impressed with him," said the statement issued by the team's public relations department. "In addition, we have an outline for an agreement in place and hope to sign a contract within the next few days."

With a strong interview last weekend, Brown jumped to the front of the line of candidates to succeed the 11-time champion Jackson with an iconic franchise. The Lakers' 16 titles trail only the Celtics' 17 in league history.

Rather than promoting one of Jackson's assistant coaches, the Lakers are changing course after their two-year title reign ended.

A respected young tactician with a strong coaching pedigree, Brown, 41, also has ample experience with big games and big stars, even if he couldn't guide LeBron James to a title. Brown specializes in defense.

"I think it's great," James said. "He definitely helped me become who I am today."

Heat on the verge

DEERFIELD, Ill. — James is doing it all for the Heat, hitting big shots and clamping down on MVP Derrick Rose.

Miami leads the Bulls 3-1 in the Eastern Conference final, with a chance to reach the Finals tonight in Chicago.

That's exactly the way James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh envisioned it when they decided to join together in the offseason. Miami is on the verge of its first trip to the Finals since 2006 after beating Chicago 101-93 in overtime on Tuesday.

James had 35 points and helped contain Rose down the stretch. Bosh added 22, Wade came up with three big blocks in overtime and the bench again delivered.

Now, it will try to close it out.

"We understand it's going to be a tough game," Wade said. "But we have the team and we have the guys that are capable of putting on a performance that we need to win. It's not going to be pretty, but that's not Miami Heat basketball anyway."

BULLS LOSE BACKUP: Chicago reserve enter Omer Asik will miss the rest of the season because of a broken left fibula.

JALEN ROSE GUILTY OF DUI: Former Michigan and NBA player Jalen Rose pleaded guilty in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. to drunken driving, admitting to a judge that he got behind the wheel after drinking six martinis and wound up crashing his SUV. The ESPN analyst faces up to 93 days in a jail and a $500 fine when he's sentenced July 27.

Conference finals

East

Heat 3, Bulls 1

Game 1: Bulls 103, Heat 82

Game 2: Heat 85, Bulls 75

Game 3: Heat 96, Bulls 85

Game 4: Heat 101, Bulls 93 OT

Tonight: at Chicago, 8:30, TNT

Saturday: at Miami, 8:30, TNT *

Monday: at Chicago, 8:30, TNT *

West

Mavericks 3, Thunder 1

Game 1: Mavericks 121, Thunder 112

Game 2: Thunder 106, Mavericks 100

Game 3: Mavericks 93, Thunder 87

Game 4: Mavericks 112, Thunder 105 OT

Wednesday: at Dallas, late

Friday: at Oklahoma City, 9, ESPN *

Sunday: at Dallas, 9, ESPN *

* If necessary

Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and the Mavericks are going back to the NBA Finals.

Nowitzki swished a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:14 left and Shawn Marion followed with a three-point play off a steal, the pivotal plays in another fourth-quarter comeback, this one sending Dallas to a 100-96 victory over the Thunder on Wednesday night that closed out the Western Conference final in five games.

After clawing back from down 15 points with 5:04 left in Game 4, the Mavericks were down by six with 4:37 left Wednesday and rallied again, closing with a 14-4 run.

Dallas has never won a championship, and neither has any of its players. Nowitzki and Jason Terry were part of the only Mavericks team to make the Finals, in 2006. They were up 2-0 and leading late in Game 3 but lost the series to the Heat in six games.

Dallas could get another crack at Miami, which leads the Bulls 3-1 in the Eastern Conference final. If the Heat wins tonight, the NBA Finals will begin Tuesday in Miami. If the Bulls win, the series will begin next Thursday in the East winner's city.

"All I can tell everybody is, we ain't done yet," Mavs owner Mark Cuban said during the on-court trophy presentation ceremony. Seconds later, fans began chanting, "Beat the Heat," drowning out coach Rick Carlisle's on-court interview.

Nowitzki and Marion scored 26 each. Nowitzki had nine points and Marion 15 in the fourth quarter.

Mavericks 100, Thunder 96

OKLAHOMA CITY (96): Durant 8-20 4-6 23, Ibaka 1-6 0-0 2, Perkins 0-2 0-0 0, Westbrook 11-28 9-9 31, Sefolosha 0-0 0-0 0, Collison 6-9 0-0 12, Harden 7-11 8-10 23, Maynor 2-6 0-0 5, Cook 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 35-82 21-25 96.

DALLAS (100): Marion 10-17 6-7 26, Nowitzki 8-15 9-9 26, Chandler 3-7 3-3 9, Kidd 1-7 0-0 2, Stevenson 0-7 1-2 1, Stojakovic 1-4 0-0 3, Terry 3-9 4-5 12, Haywood 1-1 5-6 7, Barea 5-11 3-4 14. Totals 32-78 31-36 100.

Oklahoma City 27 28 21 20— 96

Dallas 26 26 20 28— 100

3-Point Goals—Oklahoma City 5-16 (Durant 3-5, Maynor 1-3, Harden 1-5, Westbrook 0-3), Dallas 5-20 (Terry 2-3, Nowitzki 1-2, Barea 1-2, Stojakovic 1-4, Marion 0-1, Kidd 0-3, Stevenson 0-5). Fouled Out—Chandler. Rebounds—Oklahoma City 52 (Collison 12), Dallas 50 (Nowitzki, Chandler 9). Assists—Oklahoma City 16 (Harden 6), Dallas 19 (Kidd 10). Total Fouls—Oklahoma City 24, Dallas 17. Technicals—Westbrook, Oklahoma City defensive three second. A—21,092 (19,200).

Lakers pick coach

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers have reached an agreement in principle with former Cavaliers coach Mike Brown to succeed Phil Jackson, the team said.

Brown will get a four-year deal worth roughly $18 million, the Associated Press reported.

"We've met with Mike and are very impressed with him," a statement issued by the Lakers read. "In addition, we have an outline for an agreement in place and hope to sign a contract within the next few days."

BULLS LOSE BACKUP: Chicago reserve enter Omer Asik will miss the rest of the season because of a broken left fibula.

JALEN ROSE GUILTY OF DUI: Former Michigan and NBA player Jalen Rose pleaded guilty in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., to drunken driving, admitting to a judge that he got behind the wheel after drinking six martinis and wound up crashing his SUV. The ESPN analyst faces up to 93 days in a jail and a $500 fine when he's sentenced July 27.

Conference finals

East

Heat 3, Bulls 1

Game 1: Bulls 103, Heat 82

Game 2: Heat 85, Bulls 75

Game 3: Heat 96, Bulls 85

Game 4: Heat 101, Bulls 93 OT

Tonight: at Chicago, 8:30, TNT

Saturday: at Miami, 8:30, TNT *

Monday: at Chicago, 8:30, TNT *

West

Mavericks 4, Thunder 1

Game 1: Mavericks 121, Thunder 112

Game 2: Thunder 106, Mavericks 100

Game 3: Mavericks 93, Thunder 87

Game 4: Mavericks 112, Thunder 105 OT

Wednesday: Mavericks 100, Thunder 96

* If necessary

Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Figure skating

Kerrigan's brother acquitted of manslaughter in father's death

WOBURN, Mass. — The brother of two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan was acquitted Wednesday of manslaughter in the death of their 70-year-old father by a jury that apparently agreed with his defense that Daniel Kerrigan died of heart disease, not from a scuffle between the two. Mark Kerrigan, 46, was convicted of a misdemeanor assault and battery charge in a January 2010 altercation with his father at the family's home in Stoneham, north of Boston.

Nancy Kerrigan and her mother, Brenda, embraced and cried after the verdict was read. "My family has never believed at all that my brother had anything to do with my father's death, and … my dad would never have wanted any of this," Nancy Kerrigan said outside the courthouse after the verdict, standing with other family members.

Mark Kerrigan faces a maximum 21/2 years in county jail when he is sentenced today on the misdemeanor charge.

Prosecutors said Mark Kerrigan caused his father's death after he grabbed him around the neck, broke larynx cartilage and triggered heart failure. Medical experts testified for the defense that Daniel Kerrigan had at least 85 percent blockage of three main coronary arteries and that the cardiac dysrhythmia that killed him likely began before the scuffle.

Prosecutors still believe Kerrigan caused his father's death, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone said.

Soccer

Corruption hearing in presidential race

With the presidential election just a week away for the sport's governing body, the group said it is investigating challenger Mohamed bin Hammam for bribery in his campaign to unseat Sepp Blatter.

The group, FIFA, summoned Asian Football Confederation leader bin Hammam and FIFA vice president Jack Warner to an ethics hearing Sunday to face allegations of corruption during the former's campaign visit to Trinidad, Warner's home country, two weeks ago.

The allegations — leveled by Warner's longtime ally, Chuck Blazer of the United States — could wreck bin Hammam's already fading hopes of defeating Blatter in the June 1 vote by FIFA's 208 national members.

Bin Hammam and Warner denied wrongdoing.

Et cetera

Autos: Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne will miss a fifth straight week of racing this week as a precaution. Bayne has been sidelined by what doctors have termed an inflammatory condition. Roush Fenway Racing said Bayne will return next week in the Nationwide race at Chicagoland Speedway. … Tony Stewart said he'd be interested in signing Danica Patrick for his Stewart-Haas Racing if she moves full time to NASCAR next year.

Cycling: Alberto Contador maintained his overall lead, and Diego Ulissi won a contentious three-man sprint finish in the 17th stage of the Giro d'Italia. Giovanni Visconti crossed first but was relegated by the race jury to third for pushing Ulissi out of the way with his hand. Contador remained 4:58 in front of Michele Scarponi in the overall standings,

Times wires

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Playing dress-up again

The Rays wore T-shirts and caps repping their favorite domestic automakers on the way home Wednesday, and manager Joe Maddon has bigger plans for their next themed dress-up trip. It'll be "grunge" from Tampa to Seattle, with their shirts "customized" by Johnny Damon in cutting off sleeves, plus "express yourself" with belts, shoes and hats. Then Beach Boys wear, left, from Seattle to Southern California. And pajamas and loungewear for a "sleepover" on a red-eye flight to Baltimore. Damon, who has the sleeves cut off his T-shirts to show off his biceps, was at first taken aback by the assignment but ready for it: "I've got some decent ideas for a few guys."

Today: off

Next game: vs. Indians, 7:10 p.m. Friday, Tropicana Field, Sun Sports, 620-AM.

Starting pitchers

RAYS: LH David Price (5-4, 3.89)

INDIANS: RH Josh Tomlin (6-1, 2.41)

On deck

Saturday: vs. Indians, 4:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (5-2, 2.00); Indians — Carlos Carrasco (3-2, 5.16)

Sunday: vs. Indians, 1:40, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (5-3, 3.14); Indians — Justin Masterson (5-2, 2.50)

Monday: vs. Rangers, 6:40, Sun Sports. Rays — Wade Davis (4-4, 3.71); Rangers — Derek Holland (3-1, 4.68)

Serious business

LHP J.P. Howell took Wednesday's domestic automaker dress-up theme seriously, sporting a Camaro work shirt, stuffing an extra T-shirt in his back jeans pocket to look like a rag and asking anyone who asked about it if they wanted their oil checked. "Got to play the part," Howell said.

Numbers game

The Rays, Yankees and Red Sox all woke up Wednesday with 26 wins. That's only the fourth time since the 1969 start of divisional play that three teams from the same division has the same number of wins on that date:

2002 NL West: Dodgers, Padres, D'backs — 26

1986 AL West: Rangers, Angels, A's — 21

1983 AL East: Brewers, Red Sox, O's — 23

To the Matt

Matt Joyce is still leading the majors in hitting, the latest into a season a Ray has been atop the AL. But his .367 wasn't the highest on May 25 by a Ray: Jason Bartlett was at .373 in '09.

Quote of the day

"Four raindrops hit me in the eye while I was trying to catch a ball. It was terrible. I don't even know why we took the field."

CF B.J. Upton, on playing in the heavy rain before the third-inning postponement

Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Padres 3, Cardinals 1

SAN DIEGO — Chase Headley doubled in the go-ahead run in the eighth and Mat Latos pitched eight strong innings to help the Padres end a season-worst five-game skid. It was tied at 1 in the eighth when former Ray Jason Bartlett reached on a two-out infield single, his third hit. Headley followed with his double, and he later scored on Ryan Ludwick's infield single off Chris Carpenter. The Cardinals had won four in a row. San Diego had more than two runs for the first time in nine games.